PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee expressed dismay with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear arguments in the custody battle over accused killer Jason Pleau in comments following a news conference on gay marriage Monday.

Katie Mulvaney

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee expressed dismay with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear arguments in the custody battle over accused killer Jason Pleau in comments following a news conference on gay marriage Monday.

"I am very, very disappointed," Chafee said, adding "It's a states' rights issue as much as a capital punishment issue."

He said he didn't understand why federal prosecutors had asked him to surrender Pleau, if they could transfer him from state to federal prison without the governor's permission in the first place.

"It's a precedent that I think is unfortunate as far as state's rights go," Chafee said.